Jemima is a unique and charming name with an interesting history and meaning. It is of Hebrew origin and translates to "like the sea," evoking images of vastness, depth, and beauty.
The name Jemima first appears in the Bible, where it is the name of one of Job's daughters who was born after his trials ended. In the story, Job's friends come to console him in his time of suffering, but they eventually turn against him and accuse him of hidden sins. It is during this period that Job's seven sons and three daughters are born, including Jemima.
The name Jemima has also been popularized by literature throughout history. In Charlotte Brontë's classic novel "Jane Eyre," the character Bertha Mason, often referred to as the "madwoman in the attic," is sometimes called Jemima in earlier drafts of the book. Additionally, Jemima Pardoe was a famous English actress and singer of the late 18th century who performed under the stage name "Mrs. Jordan."
Despite its historical significance and biblical roots, Jemima remains an uncommon name today, making it all the more unique and distinctive for those who bear it. Its meaning, evoking the vastness and beauty of the sea, adds depth and elegance to this charming moniker.
Based on the statistics provided, we can see that the name Jemima has been given to babies born in the United States annually since at least 1881. The number of births per year varies significantly over time.
From 1881 to around the early 1900s, there were relatively few births with the name Jemima each year, ranging from as low as 5 to a peak of 16 in 1916. After that period, the number of Jemimas born annually stayed consistently low until the late 1970s.
In 1974, there was a notable increase with 15 births, and this trend continued into the early 1980s with numbers ranging from 9 to 29 births per year. Since then, the name Jemima has become increasingly popular in the United States. From the late 1990s onwards, there have been at least 14 births each year.
The most recent data shows that in 2022, there were 61 births with the name Jemima, and in 2023, there were already 54 births by the end of January. This indicates a steady increase in the number of babies named Jemima in the United States in recent years.
Overall, these statistics show that while the name Jemima has not always been popular in the United States, it has gained popularity over time, particularly since the late 1970s. The total number of births with this name since at least 1881 is 1727.